“The four national teams of the United Kingdom are supposedly England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each with its own FIFA affiliated side, these nations have spanned generations and produced some wonderful footballers, and in the case of England have even won the FIFA World Cup, triumphing by a margin of 4-2 over West Germany in 1966 – a fond memory to those who witnessed that historic match.” Football Pink

“ASHLEY GREB leaves no stone unturned as he pores over Watford’s ever-eventful Championship promotion season, final day paradoxical feelings and a manager missing his lightsaber. Returning home from walking the dog – early on Monday morning – outside our expatriate abode stood two ambulances; lights still on, their engines still purring. With a headstrong schnauzer pulling on his lead, I froze. Gazing through the worm hole; our shared drive formed the backdrop as efficient medical professionals busied themselves, practically on autopilot. Fixated on the scene, I wracked my brain for the correct words to use. What should I ask? What could I even say? Emergencies of this ilk weren’t exactly what Sir Keith Joseph had us cover in German O level.” Football Pink

“In the past two weeks, we’ve updated our Talent Radar player rankings in the Goalkeepers, Defenders and Midfielders section. We’re now left with this season’s final issue of the Forward Rankings. It’s common tendency that players playing up front attract the most attention, from both fans and clubs. Many of the names on this list will be the subject of transfer speculation in the coming months. We’re going to leave any kind of speculation surrounding these players out of this and give you an unbiased judgement of how the players have done this past season to let you know the reason for the hype around them.” Outside of the Boot

“Póg Mo Goal is a new Irish football magazine focused on considered design and great quality writing from around the world. Issue 2 is now available for pre-order and will ship in a few weeks’ time. The magazine features writers, photographers and illustrators from Ireland and around the globe, including Hong Kong, USA, Brazil, Australia, The Netherlands, France, Italy and the UK. It includes Johnny Hynes of LFC magazine asking does style matter in football or is it just winning at all costs that counts. How Robbie Keane conquered America, the GAA’s ban on foreign games and famous games and events in the ‘Home of Irish Football’ Dalymount Park. David Villa’s brief cameo in the A League and the impact of the City Football group on the Australian domestic game. The Eritrean national team transplanted to the Dutch country-side. Rafael Esquer’s Studio Alfalfa reveal the inspiration behind the crest design of one of MLS’ newest franchises New York City FC. Typographer Sander Neijnens examines shirt number design. Specially commissioned pieces by illustrators Samuel Byrnes, Planning Unit, Geo Law, Ruben Gerard and more.” Póg Mo Goal

“Newcastle United’s defeat to Leicester City taught us nothing we didn’t already know; they are a directionless football team with no redeeming qualities and, since the turn of the year, they have tumbled apathetically down the Premier League table. In one respect, they remain in control of their own destiny. Superficially they are well-placed to avoid relegation but, in all likelihood, they will have to rely on the ineptitude of those below them if they are to remain a Premier League side. Three games remain, but the chances of them picking up points from any of them seem remote.” Squawka

“At half past one on Saturday, 5th April 1902, James Smith and John McLelland set off from the north of Glasgow for the big match, Scotland against England at Ibrox. After a hard working week, the football would be a welcome escape. John was the younger cousin of James’s wife, Elizabeth. He worked as a warehouse porter in the hat department of the wholesalers Arthur & Co. and at the age of 25, was still single and living in Duke Street in the east end of the city.” Football Pink

“It would be an exaggeration to claim that for a few years, Wigan Athletic was English soccer’s favorite underdog tale. But it was certainly one of the nation’s favorite artificially-flavored upstarts. Dave Whelan was the kind of owner fans of small clubs fantasize about. Hartlepool, Grimsby, Exeter: they’d all have loved a man like him in charge. Because until he arrived, Wigan was smaller than even those microscopic specks on England’s soccer’s map.” Socccer Gods